Sussex Alerts - Rother Police

Friday 2nd January 2026

Sussex Alerts - Rother Police

Dear Residents,

Wishing you all a very happy and safe New Year 2026.

Operation Stopwatch results 

Between 1-14 December, officers carried out targeted high-visibility patrols and enforcement to tackle shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in Bexhill.

One prolific shoplifter was also sentenced to 16 weeks’ imprisonment.

Local businesses reported a visible reduction in offending and increased reassurance from seeing officers on foot.

Inspector Simon Whitehead, of the Rother Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “"Bexhill is not an easy target for offenders, and our visible, targeted policing will continue all year."

Thank you to our local businesses and community for your continued support – please keep reporting concerns so we can act quickly.

More on the arrests made and results from this Operation can be found online here.

A 48-year-old man from Bexhill has been convicted of the murder of 58-year-old Rita Lambourne, following a trial at Hove Crown Court. 

(Sensitive reading).

Rita was fatally wounded at an address in Bayencourt South on the evening of 12 February, at around 9.30pm. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, she was sadly confirmed deceased at the scene.

The jury heard how Excell, a cousin of Rita’s, calmly entered her home that night and attacked her with an axe, causing fatal injuries.

Using extensive CCTV footage, police were able to track Excell’s movements in the hours before and after the attack, which ultimately led to his identification and arrest. During police interviews, he answered “no comment” to most questions.

Officers were initially unable to locate the weapon, clothing or bag used during the murder. However, on 20 September, the investigation took a crucial turn when some teenage boys discovered a rucksack when fishing at a lake north of Bexhill. Inside the bag they found clothing and a sheath for an axe, along with a sandbag used to weigh the bag down. Following a search of the lake, officers later discovered an axe.

Full details on this case online here or on our Rother Police Facebook here.

Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “This has been an extremely distressing case for everyone involved, particularly Rita’s family and friends, as well as the wider community. The verdict reflects the strength of the evidence gathered and the tireless work of our investigation teams.

“We hope that this outcome provides some measure of closure for those who loved Rita. Our thoughts remain firmly with them; we would like to thank Rita’s family for their courage, patience and dignity throughout this incredibly difficult time."

Cold weather road safety

During the winter months, weather conditions can make driving more difficult and potentially hazardous.

- Clear your windscreen fully before setting off; avoid leaving your vehicle unattended with your keys in the ignition

- Top up on vehicle fluids, including de-icer and engine oil

- Ensure your mobile is fully charged in the event of an emergency

- Stick to the limit on the roads, if you can plan your journey to stick to main roads

- Check lights are in working order, as well as wipers and ensure tyres are fit for the road

- Listen to local radio stations for road conditions and potential delays to your journey

If you come across obstacles in the road contact your local authority, in an emergency contact the police or fire service.

Did you get any new toys or gadgets for Christmas? 

Be mindful burglars know that many households often have new and often expensive, items in their homes over Christmas.

Post Christmas crime prevention advice:

Avoid becoming an easy target for post-holiday burglars/robbers by not leaving boxes for new electronics and other items outside your wheelie bin.

With computer equipment, you might consider keeping the boxes for safe storage, or moving in the future.

Think about keeping broken-down boxes inside in a garage or loft, or taking them to recycle centres in the New Year.

Register your property on the national property marking database, search Immobilise online.

Contact us

For non-emergency incidents or crime prevention advice, click www.sussex.police.uk (If you report a crime online, we will assess it in the same way as a 101 call).  

Call 101 when you do not require an urgent response. In an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger always call 999.  

Speak to us face-to-face at a police station or contact the local policing team at www.sussex.police.uk/area/your-area.  

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, or other forms of communication difficulties.

Those with textphone can text 18001 101, or BSL users can use SignVideo to provide a Video Relay Service (here: https://signvideo.co.uk/), to report crime through a live online interpreter, who will contact the police on your behalf, when you do not require an urgent response.

In an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger please use the textphone service 18000 or text us on 999.

BSL users can call 999 BSL (here: https://999bsl.co.uk/)  to use a British Sign Language interpreter.

For more information on textphone and Relay UK, including help setting up the Relay APP please visit: https://www.relayuk.bt.com/how-to-use-relay-uk/contact-999-using-relay-uk.html